Birth

I love being a part of the Bellingham homebirth community! I have always been a baby lover, fascinated by birth and dreamed of having a houseful of my own children. Now that my youngest is five, I spend my time photographing the miracle of birth. I can’t think of a single thing I would like to do more than this!

I never get tired of the middle of the night “it’s time” phone calls. I am a light-sleeper and morning person by nature, this means waking up to photograph a birth is easy for me. I love the peace of home births. I love cherish the moments when I get to sip hot tea with the family as I take photos. I always try to stay in the background at births and home births are no exception.

Heather and Grayson have such a beautiful home; it is impossible to not feel comfortable in it. Heather was already deep in her labor zone by the time I arrived. I enjoyed the quiet and peace of the night.

Heather was so in tune wither her body and Grayson was in tune with her. It was truly a beautiful thing to watch these two labor together.

It was a matter of minutes between “you’re fully dialated and can push” to Maizy making her grand arrival. Such a beautiful moment of triumph!

Heather and Maizy get to know each other as they stare deeply into each other’s eyes. Can you believe the focus of this baby’s face? She was ready to meet her mama, and obviously recognized her voice.

Before long, big brother Myles woke up and was ready to meet his little sister. He was so precious, snuggling with his mama while he admired his baby sister.

Next Finley woke up and joined her family. She wasn’t quite sure what to think of the baby, the midwives and the photographer all hanging out in her mama and daddy’s room. Soon, however, she was captivated by Maizy.

Once Myles and Finley were both awake and I captured this brand new family of five, I made my exit so they could continue to bond as a family.

Congratulations, Heather, Grayson, Myles and Finely. You have such a beautiful family!

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Renee Bergeron is a Bellingham photographer who specializes in birth and lifestyle images.

I expanded my skill set his year and shot both lifestyle and product photos for Everyday Happy! This was a fun experience for me and I got to hang out with some adorable babies and toddlers in the process.

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A few weeks ago I got to spend the morning with Tess and her parents. At six weeks old, Tessa isn’t quite a newborn, but she was as beautiful and perfect as could be! It was obvious that her parents are completely smitten with her. And who wouldn’t be? She was such a little doll, and had the cutest nursery, filled with books and bright colors.

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Renee Bergeron of Little Earthling Photography is a Bellingham based photographer who specializes in birth and lifestyle photography.

Whether we experience it once or even a dozen times, each of them is a day we remember for the rest of our lives. Regardless of circumstance, whether or not we felt supported by those around us makes a huge impact in how we look back upon it.

Support is so vital in every aspect of our lives, in birth it is no different. It is a intimate and emotional time full of big decisions. It is imperative for a birthing woman to take into consideration who will be supportive of their choices when she deciding who will be with her when she births.

Many partners and friends are wonderful support in labor, but the knowledge, experience and continual support a doula provides benefits the whole birth team.

A doula is a professionalnon medical labor support person. Doulas support a mother and her partner physically and emotionally in pregnancy, in labor, and postpartum. They support all birth types; natural, medicated and cesarean. Most attend home and birth center births as well as ones at the hospital.

I am a doula, and I am honored to be able to support women throughout this process.

I meet with the expecting couple before the birth, getting to know them and discovering what their ideal birth may look like. Together we make a birth plan to reflect the birth the mother wants. They get to practice techniques and prepare mentally and physically for the upcoming birth.

In labor, a doula will help the mother by applying comfort techniques and helping her stay active for a more productive labor. The doula gives continuous support, helping the mother stay strong and the doctor or midwife stay fresh. She is a calming, encouraging and objective voice in the room. She helps maintain that calm atmosphere throughout labor.

Information is key.

One of my most important roles as a doula is to educate the couple on how to ask the right questions if complications arise. This helps the birthing mother stand firm in her birth plan and make the best decision for her family if circumstances require plans to change.

My support does not end once the baby is born. I also meet with new family postpartum. These appointmentsare a treat to new moms. As your doula, I am there for Mom, not just to oogle over the new baby. This time is to focus on you, your birth experience, and life with a newborn. I am a judgment free listening ear for this unique time in your life.

According to clinical trials, women who had continuous support in labor-and their babies- were found to be more likely to experience better birth outcomes. John H. Kennell, MD summed it up perfectly when he said, “If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”

It is necessary to note that a doula does not replace or upstage the mother’s partner.

The mothers significant other, family member or friend is her primary birth partner, not the doula. The doula supports both of them, modeling to and assisting the birth partner, making sure they get rest as well so they can better support the mother even more effectively and sustainably.

Often referred to as a birth coach a doula can be paralleled as a personal trainer for labor. Yes, we are capable of meeting our goals without one, but the advantage from knowledge, experience, and one-on-onesupport often leads to better results and greater satisfaction.

A doula’s support gives you an advantage to help achieve your ideal birth.

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Sometimes I have moms contact me for birth photography as soon as they have a positive pregnancy test. Other times moms contact me very late in pregnancy. Nesting, it seems, sometimes involves deciding that birth photography is at the top of the list for baby prep. I was so happy to be able to fit Paula and Pablo in to my schedule. I wasn’t booking births for mid-August because my family was planning to spend a week camping on the Oregon coast. Paula was due mid-August, five days after our scheduled return home. I normally guarantee to be in town for the two weeks leading up to a mom’s due date. In this case, we agreed to let Paula’s baby decide whether or not birth photography was in the cards.

Paula’s baby waited for my return to Bellingham, and on the afternoon of her due date, I got the call. When I arrived Paula was still chatty; asking how my camping trip was. I have photographed dozens of births and as a general rule, if the mom is making small talk, the baby’s birth isn’t imminent.

About an hour after my arrival, Paula became quiet. The Birthroot Midwives Birth Center is a beautiful, roomy facility. The room was peaceful and still, with only the sound of music echoing on the walls.Paula knew exactly what she was doing, and Pablo knew exactly how to support his wife. They worked seamlessly together through the labor. No one needed to tell Paula it was time to push. Her body knew exactly what it was doing.With very little fanfare, tiny Pirkko made her arrival into the world! A head full of thick, luscious hair and covered in vernix.

Congratulations Paula and Pablo! It was an honor to be invited to Pirkko’s birth.

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Kaylee contacted me very early on in her pregnancy. She is a very determined mama who was determined to have a VBAC. I was able to meet with Kaylee a few times through out her pregnancy and take her maternity photos. Kaylee was planning a home birth, but had to completely change her plans just a week or two before her due date. She didn’t let it shake her. She found an OB and began planning her hospital VBAC.

Kaylee was in her birth mode when I arrived. I’m not even sure she noticed me. Kaylee hired local doula, Lisa to help support her through her labor.

Kaylee’s pushing stage went so fast, no one was sure if the doctor would make it…

Things got a little intense at the last minute…we were all thankful for the fast-acting hospital staff.

The moment of triumph. Kaylee holding sweet Magnolia for the first time. Her expressions says it all.

Happy birthday, Magnolia! And congratulations Kaylee and Shane.

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I got to know Jessica and Mike a bit before their baby’s birth. Initially we me up for coffee and to discuss birth photography. Later on Jessica and I became friends on Facebook and I was happy to get to “know” her a bit more that way. It helped the anticipation build up even more for little Gummy Bear’s birth. By the way, isn’t Gummy Bear the cutest nickname ever?

When I arrived for Arianna’s birth a smile crossed my face as soon as I entered the room. They had it decorated with clothing, a teddy bear and books. So much love for one little baby!

I always feel so honored to be present a birth. Couples invite me into one of the most special, personal days of their life. I do my best to be a “fly on the wall” and simple document what is happening.

Everyone bundled up here is photographic proof of how cold Jessica wanted the room during her labor!

Jessica worked and long and hard during her labor. She was amazingly strong and calm. Little Arianna though wasn’t positioned quite right and it eventually it became apparent that a c-section was necessary. Mike and doula Christi, of Natural Birth Offerings, were both able to go back into the OR with Jessica. I headed home for some sleep and went back the next day to capture Arianna’s beautiful face.

Congratulations, Mike and Jessica! You two are going to make amazing parents!

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Pamela’s labor started two weeks before her due date. In fact, I went to bed that night thinking the first thing I needed to do in the morning was send her an email reminding her when and how to get ahold of me, to keep me updated, etc. Instead, I was awakened in the night with the news that Pamela was already in labor!

I packed my bag and headed out in the early hours to the Mt. Vernon Birth Center. I was excited because this was my very first birth at this particular birth center. Pamela’s labor was moving at a steady pace and we all thought it would be a quick labor.

Things slowed down as the day moved on…nobody knew it, but sweet Dita was posterior. Not being in the optimal position meant dilation was slower and pushing took hours.

Pamela was amazingly strong! She pushed (by my calculations) for over 5 hours! I could not believe the strength and determination this woman has.

Finally, Dita was here! She cried loudly to let us all know she was okay. And probably because of the headache she must have had.

Just look at that sweet little face.

Congratulations Pamela and Konrad!

If you want to get to know he a little better, Pamela blogs over at WikiPamela.

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Thanksgiving day this year was spent capturing Willow’s entrance into the world. Chris and Maria started their family a little later than most, and it is easy to see that Willow will have all the love and encouragement she needs in this family. Her grandma and grandpa spoiled Chris, doula Carolynn and me with a delicious Thanksgiving meal and plenty of hot coffee!

Congratulations Chris and Maria. I was honored to be chosen as your birth photographer. Willow’s is an amazing, beautiful baby!